Published: Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 05:55 PM.

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Richard Lee Gentry was hit in the head with a claw hammer a half dozen times, according to the autopsy report released Thursday. The blunt force trauma killed the 68-year-old man in his home on Aug. 27. His body was then sawed into five pieces and placed into two plastic bags, the N.C. Medical Examiners report says.

An 11-page report diagrams the multiple lacerations and fractures on Gentry’s head. The document also describes the cuts that dissected the man’s body. Gentry’s head, arms and leg were cut off. He only had one leg and was wheelchair-bound before he was killed.

Gentry’s former roommate, Brian Scott Hord was charged with the slaying and dismemberment. According to the autopsy report, the multiple blows to the head caused rapid death for Gentry. Police say that Hord used a hammer to kill Gentry and a hacksaw to dismember him.

Officers went to the men’s home after receiving a call from Hord’s estranged wife, Elizabeth Park. According to Park, Hord called her and asked for help disposing of the body. Hord, 33, has been charged with first-degree murder and financial card theft.

He has been in Gaston County Jail without bond since his arrest. Prosecutors may seek the death penalty in the case. Gaston County Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Hamlin put the matter before a judge last week.

Hord’s attorney, Vickie Jayne, asked to have the case continued – saying that she wanted to view Hord’s mental health records before moving forward. Superior Court Judge Jesse Caldwell ordered that records from Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services be provided to the prosecution and the defense before the death penalty hearing. Hamlin estimated that the information would be available by December.

You can reach Diane Turbyfill at 704-869-1817 and twitter.com/GazetteDiane.

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Richard Lee Gentry was hit in the head with a claw hammer a half dozen times, according to the autopsy report released Thursday. The blunt force trauma killed the 68-year-old man in his home on Aug. 27. His body was then sawed into five pieces and placed into two plastic bags, the N.C. Medical Examiners report says.

An 11-page report diagrams the multiple lacerations and fractures on Gentry’s head. The document also describes the cuts that dissected the man’s body. Gentry’s head, arms and leg were cut off. He only had one leg and was wheelchair-bound before he was killed.

Gentry’s former roommate, Brian Scott Hord was charged with the slaying and dismemberment. According to the autopsy report, the multiple blows to the head caused rapid death for Gentry. Police say that Hord used a hammer to kill Gentry and a hacksaw to dismember him.

Officers went to the men’s home after receiving a call from Hord’s estranged wife, Elizabeth Park. According to Park, Hord called her and asked for help disposing of the body. Hord, 33, has been charged with first-degree murder and financial card theft.

He has been in Gaston County Jail without bond since his arrest. Prosecutors may seek the death penalty in the case. Gaston County Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Hamlin put the matter before a judge last week.

Hord’s attorney, Vickie Jayne, asked to have the case continued – saying that she wanted to view Hord’s mental health records before moving forward. Superior Court Judge Jesse Caldwell ordered that records from Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services be provided to the prosecution and the defense before the death penalty hearing. Hamlin estimated that the information would be available by December.

You can reach Diane Turbyfill at 704-869-1817 and twitter.com/GazetteDiane.